A treatise of the incomparableness of God in his being, attributes, works and word…

CHAP. IV. God incomparable in his Being, as he is absolutely perfect, universal, unchangeable.

HE is an absolutely perfect Being: There is a two-fold perfection competible to Beings; Some are perfect in their kind, that is, have all things requisite to that Species of which they are. So we say the World is perfect, because it hath all things needful to a World. A man is a perfect man, that hath a body with all its parts and members, and a Soul with all its powers ⟨p. 24⟩and faculties: But secondly, A Being is absolutely perfect, when nothing can be added to it, or taken from it, when it is uncapable of the least Accession or Diminution. Now such a Being is God, and none but God. As the Sun gets nothing by the shining of the Moon and the Stars, neither loseth any thing by their Eclipses, or withdrawing. So the self sufficient God gains nothing by all the Suits and Services, Prayers and Praises of his Creatures; neither looseth any thing by their neglect of their Duties. He is above the influence of all our performances; our holiness addeth not the least to his Happiness. Can a Man be profitable to God, as he that is wise may be profitable to himself? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him that thou makest thy ways perfect? Job 22.2, 3. He is beyond the malice of Sin: As Holiness doth not help him, so the Sin of his Creatures doth not hurt him. All those Darts of Sin which the Wicked shoot up against Heaven, fall short, and fall down upon their own Heads. If thou sinnest, what dost thou against him? or if thy Transgressions be multiplied, what dost thou unto him? ⟨p. 25⟩If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? Thy Wickedness may hurt a Man, as thou art, and thy Righteousness may profit the Sons of Men, Job 35.6. 7, 8. Flesh and Blood may be injured and pierced by the Weapons of unrighteousness; but not the Rock of Ages, that is impenetrable. They who are of the same make and mould with our selves, may be advantaged by our Blessings and Praises, but not he who is above all Blessing and Praises.